H  PICTURES  B 

OLIVER  HERFORD 


\f  /4 


PHENOMENAL 


FAUNA 


A  Phenomenal 
Fauna 

•By    CAR.OLYN    WELLS 

Pictures  by 

OLIVER    HERFORD 


1902 
H.    RA7SSELL,    ffetv 


Copyright,  1901,  1902 

By  LIFE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

Copyright,  1902 

By  ROBERT  HOWARD  RUSSELL 


To  My  Godfather 
WILLIAM    F.    CLARKE 


Books  By 

CAROLYN    WELLS 

s 

Children  of  Our  Town       The  Merry.Go-R.ound 
Abeniki  Caldwell  A  Phenomena.!  Fauna. 


REG'  LAR 


THE  REG'LAR  LARK 

THE  Reg'lar  Lark's  a  very  gay  old  Bird; 
At  sunrise  often  may  his  voice  be  heard 
As  jauntily  he  wends  his  homeward  way, 
And  trills  a  fresh  and  merry  roundelay. 
And  some  old,  wise  philosopher  has  said: 
Rise  with  a  lark,  and  with  a  lark  to  bed. 


THE  HUMBUG 

ALTHOUGH  a  learned  Entomologist 
May  doubt  if  Humbugs  really  do  exist, 
Yet  each  of  us,  I'm  sure,  can  truly  say 
We've  seen  a  number  of  them  in  our  day. 
But  are  they  real?— well,  a  mind  judicial 
Perhaps  would  call  them  false  and  artificial. 


POPPYCOCK 


THE  POPPYCOCK 

THE  Poppycock's  a  fowl  of  English  breed, 
And  therefore  many  think  him  fine  indeed. 
Credulous  people's  ears  he  would  regale, 
And  so  he  crows  aloud  and  spreads  his  tale. 
But  he  is  stuffed  with  vain  and  worthless  words; 
Fine  feathers  do  not  always  make  fine  birds. 


THE  HAYCOCK 

THE  Haycock  cannot  crow;  he  has  no  brains, 
No, — not  enough  to  go  in  when  it  rains. 
He  is  not  gamy,— fighting's  not  his  forte, 
A  Haycock  fight  is  just  no  sort  of  sport. 
Down  in  the  meadow  all  day  long  he'll  bide, 
(That  is  a  little  hay-hen  by  his  side.) 


POWDER 


MONKEY 


THE  POWDER  MONKEY 

A  Theory,  by  scientists  defended, 
Declares  that  we  from  monkeys  are  descended. 
This  being  thus,  we  therefore  clearly  see 
The  Powder-Monkey  heads  some  pedigree. 
Ah,  yes, — from  him  descend  by  evolution, 
The  Dames  and  Daughters  of  the  Revolution. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


THE  TREE  CALF 

THE  sportive  Tree  Calf  here  we  see, 
He  builds  his  nest  up  in  a  tree; 
To  this  strange  dwelling-place  he  cleaves 
Because  he  is  so  fond  of  leaves. 
'Twas  his  ancestral  cow,  I  trow, 
Jumped  o'er  the  moon,  so  long  ago. 
But  he  is  not  so  great  a  rover, 
Though  at  the  last  he  runs  to  cover. 


THE 


MILITARY 


FROG 


THE  MILITARY  FROG 

THE  Military  Frog,  as  well  you  know, 
Is  the  famed  one  who  would  a-wooing  go, 
And  on  the  soldier's  manly  breast  displayed, 
He  wins  the  heart  of  every  blushing  maid. 
But,  as  a  frog,  I  think  he's  incomplete, 
He  has  no  good  hind  legs  that  we  may  eat. 


THE  FEATHER  BOA 

THIS  animal  of  which  I  speak 
Is  a  most  curious  sort  of  freak. 
Though  Serpent  would  its  form  describe, 
Yet  it  is  of  the  feathered  tribe. 
And  'tis  the  snake,  I  do  believe, 
That  tempted  poor  old  Mother  Eve, 
For  never  woman  did  exist 
Who  could  its  subtle  charm  resist. 


BRICK    SA 


THE  BRICK  BAT 

OFT  through  the  stillness  of  the  summer  night 
We  see  the  Brick  Bat  take  his  rapid  flight. 
And,  with  unerring  aim,  descending  straight, 
He  meets  a  cat  on  the  back  garden  gate. 
The  little  Brick  Bat  could  not  fly  alone, — 
Oh,  no;  there  is  a  power  behind  the  thrown. 


THE  CAT  O'  NINE  TAILS 

THE  Cat  O'  Nine  Tails  is  not  very  nice, — 
No  good  at  all  at  catching  rats  and  mice; 
She  eats  no  fish,  though  living  on  the  sea, 
And  no  one's  friend  or  pet  she  seems  to  be. 
Yet  oft  she  makes  it  lively  for  poor  Jack, — 
Curls  round  his  legs,  and  jumps  upon  his  back. 


THE 


ROUND  ROBIN 


THE  ROUND  ROBIN 

HERE'S  the  Round  Robin,  round  as  any  ball ; 
You  scarce  can  see  his  head  or  tail  at  all. 
He's  not  a  carrier-pigeon,  though  he  brings 
Important  messages  beneath  his  wings. 
And  'tis  this  freak  of  ornithology 
They  mean  who  say,  "A  little  bird  told  me." 


THE  IRON  SPIDER 

THE  Iron  Spider  is  an  insect  strange, 
He  loves  to  stand  upon  a  red-hot  range. 
Unlike  his  race,  he's  not  an  octoped, 
He  has  but  three  legs  and  he  has  no  head. 
Had  this  but  been  the  kind  Miss  Muffet  saw 
'Twould  not  have  filled  the  maiden  with  such  awe. 


THE 


BOOKWORM 


THE  BOOKWORM 

THE  Bookworm's  an  uninteresting  grub, 
Whether  he's  all  alone  or  in  a  club. 
Of  stupid  books  which  seem  to  us  a  bore, 
The  Bookworm  will  devour  the  very  core. 
Did  Solomon  or  somebody  affirm 
The  early  reed-bird  catches  the  bookworm? 


THE  BLACK  SHEEP 

THE  Black  Sheep  is  a  beast  all  men  should  shun 
He  has  no  fleece  yet  fleeces  every  one; 
Though  without  horns,  oft  with  a  horn  he's  seen; 
Though  not  a  lamb,  he  gambles  on  the  green. 
Perhaps  he's  not  a  sheep,  as  some  suggest, 
But  a  grim  wolf  who's  in  sheep's  clothing  dressed. 


TIME   FLIES 


TIME   FLIES 

TIME   Flies  are  well-known  insects;  sages  claim 
That  Tempus  Fugit  is  their  rightful  name. 
When  we're  on  idleness  or  pleasure  bent, 
They  sting  our  conscience  and  our  fun  prevent. 
We  hear  them  winter  mornings  ere  we  rise, 
And  oft  in  fly-time  we  observe  Time  Flies. 


THE  APPLE  BEE 

IN  country  villages  is  found 
The  Apple  Bee  with  buzzing  sound. 
And  when  our  ears  it  does  regale 
We  find  a  sting  is  in  its  tale. 
As  to  its  food, — the  Apple  Bee 
Is  fond  of  doughnuts,  cheese  and  tec . 


THE 


WELSH 


RABBIT 


THE  WELSH  RABBIT 

SEE  the  Welsh  Rabbit — he  is  bred  on  cheese; 
(Or  cheese  on  bread,  whichever  way  you  please.) 
Although  he's  tough,  he  looks  so  mild,  who'd  think 
That  a  strong  man  from  this  small  beast  would  shrink  ? 
But  close  behind  him  follows  the  nightmare. 
Beware  of  them,  they  are  a  frightful  pair. 


THE  CRICKET  BAT 

THE  Cricket  Bat  is  very  often  seen 
Flying-  perchance  around  the  village  green; 
But  unlike  many  other  bats,  its  flight 
Is  always  made  by  day  and  not  by  night. 
There  may  be  one  exception  though, — and  that 
Is  when  it's  aimed  at  some  stray  neighboring  Cat. 


THE 


COMMON 


SWALLOW 


THE  COMMON  SWALLOW 

THE  Common  Swallow  is  so  swift  of  flight, 
We  scarcely  see  him  ere  he's  out  of  sight. 
One  does  not  make  a  summer,  it  is  true, 
But  many  of  them  cause  a  fall  or  two. 
The  Swallow's  strong  when  he  is  in  his  prime, 
And  yet  a  man  can  down  him  every  time. 


THE  TOMAHAWK 

THE  Tomahawk's  a  fearsome  bird,  we  deem ; 
Though  feathered  tribes  hold  him  in  great  esteem; 
A  bird  of  prey,  he  whizzes  through  the  air, 
And  clutches  his  pale  victim  by  the  hair. 
Gory  and  grewsome, — he  is  the  mainstay 
Of  the  historic  novel  of  to-day. 


THE 


JAILBIRD 


THE  JAIL-BIRD 

THIS  is  a  Jail-bird.     Isn't  it  a  shame 
To  keep  him  in  a  cage  and  try  to  tame 
His  wild  desires  for  freedom?     See  him  droop 
Behind  his  bars.     He  wants  to  fly  the  coop. 
But  to  beguile  his  tedious,  lonely  hours 
Kind  ladies  bring  him  nosegays  of  bright  flowers. 


THE  ROYAL  SEAL 

THIS  noble  beast's  impressive  form  is  seen 
'Mong  the  possessions  of  a  king  or  queen. 
Hard-favored,  yet  so  valuable  is  he, 
He's  ever  kept  beneath  a  lock  and  key. 
And,  since  his  temper  can't  find  vent  in  speech, 
He  stamps  and  punches  everything  in  reach. 


THE 


FIRE  DOGS 


THE  FIRE  DOGS 

HERE  are  two  Fire  Dogs — they  are  queer,  indeed; 
They  seem  to  come  of  a  three-legged  breed. 
They  have  no  tails,  their  bark  is  on  their  back; 
They  hunt  in  couples,  never  in  a  pack. 
The  day's  work  over,  'tis  a  pleasant  sight 
To  find  them  waiting  by  the  fire  at  night. 


THE  MACKEREL  KIT 

THIS  funny  little  Mackerel  Kit 
Is  not  like  other  cats  a  bit; 
She  cannot  mew  or  scratch  or  purr, 
She  has  no  whiskers  and  no  fur. 
Yet,  like  all  cats,  her  dearest  wish 
Is  just  to  be  filled  up  with  fish; 
But  (and  this  isn't  so  feline) 
She  always  takes  them  steeped  in  brine. 


THE 


GOLF  LYNX 


THIS  is  the  merry  Golf  Lynx,  as  you  see; 
An  amiable  beast,  and  fond  of  tee. 
Indigenous  to  all  the  country  round, 
His  snaky  length  lies  prone  along  the  ground. 
It  is  the  fashion  o'er  this  beast  to  rave, 
But  have  a  care,  lest  you  become  his  slave. 


THE  TRAVELING  CRANE 

THE  Traveling  Crane's  a  bird,  of  course, 
Yet  he  possesses  wondrous  force. 
A  bird  of  burden  he  must  be, 
He  lifts  and  pulls  so  mightily. 
And  sometimes  he  will  grasp  his  prey, 
And  with  it  rise  and  soar  away. 
His  plumage  is  not  fine,  but  then, 
He's  of  the  greatest  use  to  men. 


THE 


FLYING 
BUTTRESS 


THE  FLYING  BUTTRESS 

THE  Flying  Buttress,  every  day  and  night, 
Continues  in  his  long,  unwearied  flight. 
He's  not  a  song-bird,  but  he's  said  to  be 
Famed  for  his  beauty  and  his  Symmetry. 
He  frequents  an  old  abbey  or  a  manse; 
The  ostrich  eats  him  if  he  gets  a  chance. 


THE  SEA  PUSS 

IN  ocean  waters  the  Sea  Puss  is  found, 
Cat-like,  forever  chasing  round  and  round. 
She  has  no  claws,  but  crouching  sly  and  low 
She  stealthily  puts  out  her  undertow. 
And  when  an  old  seadog  comes  in  her  way 
I'll  warrant  you  there  is  the  deuce  to  pay! 


THE 


BATTERING 
RAM 


THE  BATTERING  RAM 

THIS  is  the  Battering  Ram,  a  fearful  beast, 
I  think  he  weighs  a  thousand  tons  at  least 
Stronger  than  any  other  kind  of  butter, 
He  goes  his  way  calmly,  without  a  flutter. 
Big  as  an  elephant,  bigger  than  a  horse, 
He  seems  the  best  example  of  brute  force. 


THE  SPRING  CHICKEN 

HERE'S  the  Spring  Chicken.     I  have  heard 
They  manufacture  this  queer  bird 
From  bits  of  leather  and  of  strings 
All  joined  and  worked  by  tiny  springs. 
Whenever  this  fine  fowl  is  broiled, 
Each  of  his  springs  should  be  well  oiled, 
Or  he  may  spring  across  the  room 
And  plunge  his  carver  into  gloom. 


THE 
SHUTTLECOCK 


THE  SHUTTLECOCK 

THE  Shuttlecock's  a  handsome  fowl  to  see, 
His  feathers  grow  straight  upward  like  a  tree. 
He  cannot  crow,  but  oftentimes  his  flight 
Will  reach  up  to  a  most  astounding  height. 
He  is  a  gamecock,  and,  in  fighting  trim, 
There  are  not  many  birds  that  equal  him. 


THE  SAW-BUCK 

THE  Saw-Buck  is  a  fearsome  beast. 
The  tramp  objects  to  it,  at  least. 
When  to  the  housewife  he  applies 
For  coffee  or  for  apple-pies, 
Right  speedily  he'll  turn  and  leave  her 
When  he  is  seized  with  Saw-Buck  Fever. 


PIGEON     TOAD 


THE  PIGEON  TOAD 

THE  Pigeon  Toad's  a  funny  little  beast, 
He's  found  in  every  land  from  West  to  East. 
The  children  bring  him  in,  to  our  amaze, 
And  though  we  try  to  turn  him  out,  he  stays. 
He's  never  seen  with  soldiers,  nor  with  fops, 
But  with  the  schoolboys  how  he  jumps  and  hops. 


THE  GOLDEN  BUCK 

PERHAPS  because  it's  easily  approached, 
The  Golden  Buck's  a  game  that's  often  poached. 
'Tis  sometimes  mild,  again  'tis  strong  and  hearty, 
It  may  be  found  at  many  a  gay  stag-party. 
No  branching  antlers  this  strange  beast  adorn, 
But  with  the  Golden  Buck  we  take  a  horn. 


THE 
BUMBLE 


PUPPY 


THE  BUMBLE  PUPPY 

THIS  is  the  Bumblepuppy.     He's  quite  tame, 
Although  he's  said  to  be  a  sort  of  game. 
You  scorn  him,  yet  you  must — ah,  there's  the  rub 
Accept  him  at  your  table  or  your  club. 
He  has  his  points,  yet  he's  a  pest,  indeed; 
I  would  we  could  exterminate  the  breed. 


THE  WATCH  DOG 

THIS  useful  animal  we  keep 
To  guard  our  treasure  while  we  sleep< 
A  pointer,  not  a  setter,  yet 
He's  of  no  use  unless  he's  set. 
Gaze  on  his  open,  honest  face,- 
There's  no  deception  in  his  case. 
He  is  attached  to  us,  'tis  plain, 
Though  often  by  a  slender  chain. 


GOLD  EAGLE 


HERE'S  the  Gold  Eagle.     Very  rare. 
They  say 

This  bird  is  worth  ten  dollars  any  day. 
He  has  no  wings,  apparently,  yet  I 
Or  you,  or  anyone  can  make  him  fly. 
He's  very  powerful — held  in  great  esteem; 
And  money  talks,  so  let  the  eagle  scream. 


THE  BUGBEAR 

OF  all  the  fearsome  beasts  beneath  the  sun 
The  Bugbear  is  the  most  appalling  one. 
At  night  he  comes  and  hovers  o'er  our  bed, 
Filling  us  with  a  nameless  fear  and  dread. 
He  is  not  half  so  terrible  by  day — 
Sometimes  he  shrinks  and  dwindles  quite  away. 


THE 


IRISH  BULL 


THE  IRISH  BULL 

AMONG  the  stock  jokes  it  is  oft  averred 
The  Irish  Bull  is  best  of  all  the  heard. 
He  has  no  points,  he  has  no  head  or  tail, 
But  many  a  jovial  party  he'll  regale. 
And  all  his  hearers  will  with  laughter  choke, 

Except  his  brother  John,  who  sees  no  joke. 


THE  JAY 

'fc  a 

"IS  very  strange,  and  yet,  upon  my  word, 
Jl    This  silly  fellow  thinks  he  is  a  bird! 
He  lives  on  hayseed, — everywhere  he's  found, 
But  in  the  country  he  does  most  abound. 
And  at  the  approach  of  winter,  (more's  the  pity), 
A  flock  of  jays  will  migrate  to  the  city. 


FOREBEARS 


FOREBEARS 

niSLED  by  certain  signs  of  form  and  shape, 
Some  think  we  are  descended  from  the  ape. 
But  recent  science  now  the  truth  declares 
The  human  race  descended  from  Forebears. 
And  since  we're  so  inclined  to  war,  I'll  wager 
One  of  our  Forebears  was  the  Ursa  Major. 


THE  HIGH  HORSE 

THE  High  Horse  often  takes  a  foremost  place 
Among  the  winners  of  the  human  race. 
They  say  one  needs  both  brawn  and  brain  to  ride  him, 
And  even  then  'tis  very  hard  to  guide  him. 
His  jockeys  gaily  prance  and  boldly  scoff, 
But  soon  or  late  they're  sure  to  tumble  off. 


•*. 


AROI YN  WF 

JLrLs 

V-        i  PICTURES  BY 

ER  HERFOR 


